A Luxury Style Guide for Expectant Mothers
Pregnancy is one of the most transformative, emotional, and extraordinary seasons of your life—and what you wear for your maternity photos in charleston plays a powerful role in how you feel and how your images come to life!
If you’ve found yourself wondering what photographs beautifully, what style will be flattering, or how to achieve that elevated, editorial look—you’re in the right place!
As Charleston’s Most Trusted Maternity Photographer specializing in timeless, refined, and fashion-inspired maternity portraiture. During your Pre-Session Design & Wardrobe Consultation at my studio, I guide each of my clients through looks that speak to them and wardrobe selection so that they feel confident, radiant, and effortlessly elegant during their Maternity Photoshoot in Charleston!
And the best part?
✨ You don’t have to shop for anything unless you want to!
A Luxury Client Closet at our Studio Designed with What to Wear for Maternity Photos in Charleston in mind!
One of the most overwhelming parts of planning maternity photos is figuring out what to wear—especially when your body is changing so quickly!
That’s why I offer a fully curated maternity client closet at my studio, available to every Holy City Babies client.
Inside the closet, you’ll find:
- custom, handmade couture maternity gowns
- elegant, form-fitting bodysuits
- dramatic tossing fabrics for movement and artistry
- tailored suits and structured pieces for a modern editorial look
- a variety of unique, one-of-a-kind wardrobe pieces you won’t find anywhere else
All pieces are thoughtfully selected to photograph beautifully and flatter your shape, and are available in:
👉 sizes XXS–XXL and many one-size (OS) designs
✨ This means you can arrive to your session with nothing but yourself—and leave with images that feel like they belong in a magazine!
Learn more about Holy City Babies’ services & offerings, view our portfolio and investment information, reach out to Brittany personally or Book your Session quickly Online here: TAKE ME THERE!
Choosing Pieces That Highlight Your Shape (Not Hide It)
One of the most common misconceptions is that looser clothing is more flattering during pregnancy.
In reality, sometimes the opposite is true!
The most beautiful maternity portraits:
- accentuate your bump
- define & flatter your shape
- create clean, intentional lines
Think about:
- fitted gowns
- stretch fabrics that contour your body
- draping that enhances—not hides—your silhouette
✨ Your body is the art. Your wardrobe should frame it!
Does Body Shape Matter?
Of course, we understand that body shape matters! 😉 Not all gowns styles are going to flatter every shape which is why we’ll have you try on various gowns & other wardrobe pieces at the studio during your Pre-Session Consultation & Design appointment ahead of your Maternity Photoshoot in Charleston.
This one was all me! I sprung this on Madeline when she arrived at the studio of her Studio Maternity Session! We planned a white / black session for her in studio and we shot that first but I told her that I had seen the most beautiful Wisteria blooming downtown a couple days prior to her shoot and I happened to have the perfect purple dress for it! She was totally game for the adventure and slayed! The portraits turned out — stunning.😍
Embracing Soft, Neutral, and Elevated Tones for What to Wear for Maternity Photos in Charleston
When I return your Maternity Portrait Session Proof Gallery, my goal is always to deliver a full, complimentary, aesthetically pleasing gallery and the colors you choose will set the tone for your entire gallery. I always recommend choosing 2-3 colors and building your portrait session around those! You’ll want to select colors that you just like or colors that flatter your skin tone or colors that would compliment your existing design / decor in your home — since art this beautiful deserves a place on your walls!
Recent Trend:
For a timeless, luxury aesthetic, I recommend:
- white, ivory or cream
- soft beige or browns
- muted pastels (dusty blue, sage, blush, lavender)
- a recent trend — I’ve had a lot of expectant mom’s recently request elevated, editorial, minimalist portraits (neutrals – black / white /cream / grey / tan / brown color schemes)
These tones:
- photograph beautifully in studio light
- feel elevated and editorial
- won’t go out of style years from now
✨ Many pieces in the client closet are intentionally designed in these tones for that exact reason!
Both Mela & Anna Leigh wanted warm, neutral tones to compliment their existing home decor / color schemes and we achieved that for them in two very different ways in both the indoor and outdoor portions of their Maternity Portrait Experiences! (We shot Hybrid Sessions with both in-studio portraits and outdoor, on-location portraits!
Learn more about Holy City Babies’ services & offerings, view our portfolio and investment information, reach out to Brittany personally or Book your Session quickly Online here: TAKE ME THERE!
Flow, Movement, and Texture Create Magic
The most timeless maternity portraits are often the simplest.
Some of the most powerful looks in my studio include:
- classic bodysuit
- business / oversized suit
- draped fabric set
- clean, form-fitting silhouettes
✨ Many of these minimalist pieces are included in the client wardrobe and styled intentionally during your session!
Both Taylor & Lisabeth had one thing in common (and it’s definitely on trend right now!) is that they both wanted, clean, simplistic, elevated editorial studio maternity portraits and we achieved this in the studio with simple backgrounds, clean light, minimal but elevated styling for each!
Coordinate (Don’t Match) for Family Images:
If your partner or children will be included:
Aim for:
- a cohesive color palette
- soft, complementary tones
✨ I’ll guide you on what your family should wear so everything flows beautifully with your selected wardrobe pieces.
During her pre-session design & wardrobe fitting appointment, Ellen expressed her desire to create casual, simplistic, boho inspired Maternity Portraits and we used light, textures and tones to create that vibe in the studio! It was perfect because that reflects the laid back vibes that her family exudes!
Best Part? You Don’t Have to Do This Alone!
This season of life comes with enough decisions—you shouldn’t have to stress about what to wear for your Maternity Portraits in Charleston!
When you book a maternity session with Holy City Babies, wardrobe is no longer a question mark.
You’ll have:
- a curated, couture wardrobe at your fingertips
- expert styling guidance
- pieces designed specifically for photography
- options that flatter a wide range of body types
- Of course, if you have something particular in mind or something of your own that you’d like to wear, you certainly can! During your Pre-Session Design and Wardrobe Consultation Appointment, we’ll collaborate to design the Maternity Photoshoot of your dreams!
✨ Everything is handled for you—so you can simply show up and feel taken care of.
Learn more about Holy City Babies’ services & offerings, view our portfolio and investment information, reach out to Brittany personally or Book your Session quickly Online here: TAKE ME THERE!
Studio vs Outdoor Maternity Photos in Charleston
Charleston’s beauty is undeniable—but it also comes with:
- heat
- humidity
- gnats / no-see-ums
- wind
- unpredictable weather
In-studio editorial portrait sessions (or hybrid sessions) allow:
- full control over styling & lighting
- temperature control (which preserves your hair & makeup for the duration of your session, your hair won’t get frizzy or loose curl and your makeup won’t melt off in that low country heat!)
- seamless wardrobe changes
- the ability to incorporate couture gowns and fabrics without limitation
✨ This is where our client closet truly shines—giving you access to a variety of looks in a wide range of styles and sizing.
My Why:
The most important thing you wear to your maternity session isn’t the dress, it’s your confidence!
It’s how you feel.
My entire purpose in the Motherhood Space is to Celebrate Women and to honor our irreplaceable contribution to the evolution of humankind. I want make women feel seen, to make them feel powerful and confident in their bodies during pregnancy by crafting stunning, heirloom images to commemorate this milestone season of their lives.
When everything is thoughtfully styled and prepared for you:
- you feel confident
- you feel beautiful
- you feel seen
…and that is what transforms your images into something truly meaningful! 🫶🏻
✨ Charleston Maternity Photography Experience
If you’re currently expecting and beginning to plan your maternity session, I would love to create something elevated, editorial and truly timeless with you!
At Holy City Babies, every session includes:
- pre-session consultation & design appointment ahead of your portrait sesison
- access to our extensive luxury maternity client closet (size XXS–XXL + OS)
- couture wardrobe styling
- optional professional hair and makeup service ahead of your portrait
- a fully guided, editorial Maternity Portrait Experience
✨ You don’t have to shop. You don’t have to guess. You just show up!
Learn more about Holy City Babies’ services & offerings, view our portfolio and investment information, reach out to Brittany personally or Book your Session quickly Online here: TAKE ME THERE!
👉 Learn more about the experience here: The Holy City Babies Maternity Experience
April 6, 2026
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT